Complement school with `home' work

Projects provide extra learning, fun, creativity Simple moments at home can complement what your children are doing in school this fall. Be open to those opportunities that bring the family together for extra learning and fun!

- As papers and projects from school begin to pile high, start a "keep or throw" sorting process. Decorate the cover of a loose-leaf binder and label it with the age or grade of your child for this school year. Recommended keepers? Original stories, poems and drawings. "Firsts," such as the first paper written in cursive, are also good collectibles.- For a "green thumb" keepsake, press and frame a special last bloom such as a sunflower from your child's garden. Label the flower, add the date and let your child write her name.

- Transplant herbs indoors for a windowsill garden. If you have an abundance in your garden, bunch some together, tie and dry upside down. Save clean empty glass jars and draw cute labels for each one for storing the dried herbs.

- Make a unique message on your answering machine. Let budding musicians in the family play a favorite piece in the background while an adult delivers the message.

- As the weather becomes cooler, get ready for indoor play with an "artist-in-residence kit." Supplies will always be at your fingertips. Assemble items such as paint, markers, pipe cleaners, beads, construction paper, tape, glue, old magazines and clean recycled items such as yogurt containers and cereal boxes into a plastic tote container.